17 May 2025

 The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is calling for the Northern Territory Government to introduce pill testing at music festivals to help reduce drug related harm.

The calls come after NT Health announced that a nitazene, a dangerous high potency synthetic opioid, has now been found in the Northern Territory for the first time, as the Territory gears up to host its biggest music festival of the year today.

The RACP says that the Northern Territory should follow in the footsteps of the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and New South Wales in adopting the use of pill testing at music festivals.

Pill testing trials in other jurisdictions have identified benefits such as improved engagement with people who may intend to use drugs, disposal of drugs which were found to not be “as sold” or to contain highly toxic substances, and an improved ability to provide timely and relevant drug alerts.

Professor Jennifer Martin, President of the RACP, says that reports by NT Health that nitazenes have been found locally are deeply concerning.

“These synthetic opioids have been reportedly linked to 17 deaths in Australia already; we don’t want to see any more lives lost.

“With Darwin’s biggest music festival rapidly approaching we want to see as many initiatives to reduce the risk of drug related harm and deaths as possible.

“We know that just telling people not to use drugs isn’t enough. Drug checking, although having limitations, can reduce harm and help individuals make better-informed and safer decisions about drugs.

“The RACP continues to advocate for a comprehensive approach to drug policy across Australian states and territories, which includes education, prevention and harm reduction, and treatment. We promote a health-first approach to drug policy, as indicated in our recent policy statement.

Professor Adrian Dunlop, President of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine, says “We have seen the success of pill-testing in the ACT, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales..

“We also want to see states and territories establishing fixed drug testing sites that will allow for more comprehensive and regular testing for the unknown substances beyond festivals.

“We are seeing the emergence of deadly new opioids in Australia – and fixed drug checking sites would help alert us regarding these substances.

“There are lives at stake and we must do everything we can to protect our communities from drug related harm and death”.

The RACP’s Position Statement on drug policy can be found here.